Most wooden utility poles in around two dozen VDCs in the district are in a dilapidated condition, posing a serious threat to people. Krishna Pandey of Sunkhani said many poles in his village are around to collapse. “The poles in farmlands have posed risk to farmers,” he said.

Locals said the pits in which the poles are erected are not just around a meter deep. They said the problem was created due to the carelessness of the contractors. “These poles may collapse anytime and cause power supply disruption and short circuit,” said Radhika Pathak of Bhadrutar. She said power supply is often obstructed in Bhadrutar, Sundaradevi, Suryamati, Betini, Gaunkharka and Sikharbeshi due to the dilapidated condition of the utility poles.

Three people were injured due to short circuit caused by collapsed poles in Sunkhani. Locals said they have asked the district branch of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to repair the poles. Pathak, however, said NEA officials are yet to address their concerns.

Local people in some areas have provided wooden supports to the broken poles, Basudev Sitaula of Bhadrutar-4 said. He said the NEA has not even inspected power supply lines after the April 25 earthquake.

NEA district chief Suresh Chhetri could not reached for comments despite several attempts.